Toddler Tricks - 20

Problem: You have something important to do in a timely fashion. You'll quickly find that nothing turns normally self-entertained, quiet babies or toddlers into snivelling, whiny, needy messes than the knowledge that their mommy or daddy might actually have something to do that doesn't involve them.

Solution: Tread softly. Let nothing in your attitude or demeanor betray that you might have something important to do. Try not to let your impatience show as you set them up with a toy or game or even the television. Stay with them for an extra minute, even if it seems you don't have the time to do that. One minute in the beginning may save you 15 throughout the process.